AA #15

Students'-eye view of Webcam spy case

Students at Herriton High School in Lower Merion School District are given Apple MacBook laptops to use both at school and at home. The ones issued to the students have a Webcam. Not only can the students take pictures but the school district can also use it to take photographs of whoever is using the computer. A student filed a civil complaint under the federal court. Blake Robbins received a notice that he was engaging in improper behavior in his own home. They had photographs from the webcam to prove it. In an interview with CBS Evening News, plaintiff Blake Robbins said he was unaware that the camera could be activated at his house. The district defended themselves and stated that the webcam was used in case of stolen or missing laptops. The tracking-security feature was limited to that and not used for any other purposes. As a result of the case, the district Superintendent of Schools Christopher W. McGinley sent a letter to parents stating that the security tracking feature is being disabled and that there will be "a thorough review of the existing policies for student laptop use."
On the CBS Early Show, Harriton High sophomore Savannah Williams said she keeps the laptop in her bedroom and says that its on while she is "getting changed, doing my homework, taking a shower, everything." Some students see it as an invasion of privacy.
No judge has yet ruled on the plaintiff's claim and the school has denied that it has used the cameras for anything other than help recover missing laptops. However, the fact remains that staff members had the ability to turn on the camera is problematic.


L. Magid. "Students'-eye view of Webcam spy case." CNET Review, 2/17/2010. 2/20/2010 <http://news.cnet.com/8301-30977_3-10457077-10347072.html?tag=rtcol;pop>.